![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YK2UQBJCNPVDC5UGRJ73B4NSHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bfb6810ad84c277308de91c2214514a8146bffc50b6980cf6fc531411bd3efe&width=400&height=225)
The 1-0 defeat forces Gerard Pique, right, to concede he and his Barca teammates were put in their place. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2L7DFCCJO6N7DXC3XJOXBIU35U.jpg?smart=true&auth=538c1fcbf8d190f70b2423b84c9fecdae3c85295fbfa2f3445a95c94af5b85dc&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona opened their La Liga defence with an away match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames Stadium late on Friday. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATL5SLHNDLBEFBJPD3Z57CTOD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ccb8016a03d6677b6f7a9b950b17ec4937d5247842202ba7117ceb5930a971b7&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona were without Lionel Messi, who is out injured, as they prepared to win yet another opening league match. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CDJRDDUGWSP62KKPCRXAYUUBAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=941dcd0bc593229d3aeafbc31722bcdbd9d943ad11a947ede2ee20a75e6ee9bd&width=400&height=225)
But a spirited Bilbao side proved doughty opponents for a Barca side far from their best on the night. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OWPZSM2URTM73HSTKC25HYP6UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=324d8b0d4dc12f4c37ecea5e648bfc0b52310266432ac78d86e41d6030d0f7f4&width=400&height=225)
Here, Iker Muniain of Athletic Bilbao competes for the ball with Barcelona's Rafinha in a very physical match. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XP3JCFVHWBKTEFDVCXWO6LXU6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9e29aa1d87a831a36b697ea4a7d5fe1c8457df8221ed4bc99fc10f350ace4c7&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona receive a major setback during the match as Luis Suarez is forced to leave the pitch after injuring his calf as he joins Messi on the bench. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZKFUNQ6WWCAJULJ4GVINZGQE7I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4d83191c6c7933f040036f0089d39ed4c10903f97d1df463473e345165aa5c0&width=400&height=225)
Aritz Aduriz was the one who broke the deadlock in the game as he scored for the home team to leave the visitors in a state of shock. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C5O5R3BUJR45KUPJFZQISSRH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=518922bf02546284a35f3cdd6c1eda0f25b842b34103a207deb916838449a3b5&width=400&height=225)
The goal from Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz is made even sweeter for the home fans by the fact he is a veteran player who is 38 years old. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LRUANNWQLDMJXFC3C655M3WAB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2489add586750bc358297ff40841196141c1715cbf9915934abe6cc22852abe8&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde watches helplessly as his side are unable to find an equaliser. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V5OC4C3JYGRB6NTKQZAWOII4IA.jpg?smart=true&auth=07861043ff278ae38129fd53c4680bdb70c0e44d4debf4589389c902924a5443&width=400&height=225)
Antoine Griezmann reacts during the match. The Frenchman, who moved from Atletico Madrid to the league champions, endured a quiet debut. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LO2XBI6K7BB2NM5NW6A4I4UNZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=999f6f487eb92cbd546f00754c98c1f78e6b3cd048caf48c6bf21495e1a2c811&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Sergi Roberto also cuts a dejected figure as the writing is on the wall. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YK2UQBJCNPVDC5UGRJ73B4NSHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bfb6810ad84c277308de91c2214514a8146bffc50b6980cf6fc531411bd3efe&width=400&height=225)
The 1-0 defeat forces Gerard Pique, right, to concede he and his Barca teammates were put in their place. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2L7DFCCJO6N7DXC3XJOXBIU35U.jpg?smart=true&auth=538c1fcbf8d190f70b2423b84c9fecdae3c85295fbfa2f3445a95c94af5b85dc&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona opened their La Liga defence with an away match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames Stadium late on Friday. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATL5SLHNDLBEFBJPD3Z57CTOD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ccb8016a03d6677b6f7a9b950b17ec4937d5247842202ba7117ceb5930a971b7&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona were without Lionel Messi, who is out injured, as they prepared to win yet another opening league match. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CDJRDDUGWSP62KKPCRXAYUUBAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=941dcd0bc593229d3aeafbc31722bcdbd9d943ad11a947ede2ee20a75e6ee9bd&width=400&height=225)
But a spirited Bilbao side proved doughty opponents for a Barca side far from their best on the night. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OWPZSM2URTM73HSTKC25HYP6UU.jpg?smart=true&auth=324d8b0d4dc12f4c37ecea5e648bfc0b52310266432ac78d86e41d6030d0f7f4&width=400&height=225)
Here, Iker Muniain of Athletic Bilbao competes for the ball with Barcelona's Rafinha in a very physical match. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XP3JCFVHWBKTEFDVCXWO6LXU6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9e29aa1d87a831a36b697ea4a7d5fe1c8457df8221ed4bc99fc10f350ace4c7&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona receive a major setback during the match as Luis Suarez is forced to leave the pitch after injuring his calf as he joins Messi on the bench. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZKFUNQ6WWCAJULJ4GVINZGQE7I.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4d83191c6c7933f040036f0089d39ed4c10903f97d1df463473e345165aa5c0&width=400&height=225)
Aritz Aduriz was the one who broke the deadlock in the game as he scored for the home team to leave the visitors in a state of shock. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C5O5R3BUJR45KUPJFZQISSRH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=518922bf02546284a35f3cdd6c1eda0f25b842b34103a207deb916838449a3b5&width=400&height=225)
The goal from Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz is made even sweeter for the home fans by the fact he is a veteran player who is 38 years old. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LRUANNWQLDMJXFC3C655M3WAB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=2489add586750bc358297ff40841196141c1715cbf9915934abe6cc22852abe8&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde watches helplessly as his side are unable to find an equaliser. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V5OC4C3JYGRB6NTKQZAWOII4IA.jpg?smart=true&auth=07861043ff278ae38129fd53c4680bdb70c0e44d4debf4589389c902924a5443&width=400&height=225)
Antoine Griezmann reacts during the match. The Frenchman, who moved from Atletico Madrid to the league champions, endured a quiet debut. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LO2XBI6K7BB2NM5NW6A4I4UNZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=999f6f487eb92cbd546f00754c98c1f78e6b3cd048caf48c6bf21495e1a2c811&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Sergi Roberto also cuts a dejected figure as the writing is on the wall. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YK2UQBJCNPVDC5UGRJ73B4NSHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1bfb6810ad84c277308de91c2214514a8146bffc50b6980cf6fc531411bd3efe&width=400&height=225)
The 1-0 defeat forces Gerard Pique, right, to concede he and his Barca teammates were put in their place. Getty Images
Antoine Griezmann's Barcelona shocked and humbled at Bilbao – in pictures
Here are some of the choicest photos from their 1-0 defeat to Athletic in their La Liga opener
![Chitrabhanu Kadalayil](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5028a49e-46d6-477e-8df3-0c3018a9edfc.png?smart=true&auth=1941bce82e4db0f965cefd4080ff8b1429fd52f318e6629f8ba9b72923ae4c10&width=70&height=70)
Chitrabhanu Kadalayil
17 August, 2019
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